All Time Low – Don’t Panic
Review by Jenn Stookey
When the All Time Low website was shut down for 3 days, I knew I had a minimal amount of time to prepare for something big that was about to blow my mind. The pain from the wait was excruciating. When the countdown finally struck 00:00, something revolutionary happened. “The Reckless and the Brave”, the first single off of Don’t Panic, was released. From the moment this single paraded through my ears, I knew this album would be as golden as it gets. 6 years and now 5 albums later, All Time Low has brought music into this world that is nothing less than perfect, in the form of Don’t Panic.
The album begins with the powerful anthem, “The Reckless and the Brave”, which was consequently also the first single. The song is more than just a song, it’s the truth about the society we are apart of. It has the typical message from All Time Low; that there is much everyone has to offer and not to stop until you’ve said what you’ve had to say. After all, “long live the reckless and the brave”. The extremely upbeat and powerful drums make the song buckle down and constantly move forward. The guitars compliment Gaskarth’s vocals, and of course overall this song was the perfect choice of a first single and first track.
Okay, let’s be honest, I love a good love song and I’m sure you do too. Even if it’s not in the stereotypical layout of a slow melodic lovely piece of music, a love song is a love song. “If These Sheets Were States” is definitely a love song. Let’s just say, if a guy wrote me a song like this, I would be his forever. The chorus goes, “If these sheets were the states and you were miles away, I’d fold them end over end to bring you closer to me,” I mean, it really can’t get any cuter than that. Now for the musicality. This song I would bump at a party no doubt. It has got such a lively feel that needs to be let loose and run free for all to hear.
“So Long Soldier” is one of my favorite songs off of this entire album. It definitely conveys a different tone from the rest of the music All Time Low has produced. This song starts off with a darker tone that is definitely more punk than pop, which is a refreshing change of pace that won’t disappoint. The lyrics tell a story in third person of Gaskarth’s childhood leading up to the making of the band that we love so much. “Come down to voice a generation,” I believe is the best way to put what All Time Low has done for this genre of music within their existence as a band. I think this is an interesting concept and it was the perfect timing to release a song like this. There is no doubt that this song won’t be among the top of this album.
I always look to the first and last track of an album to sum it up as a whole, like one would with chapters of a book. “So Long, And Thanks For All The Booze” was the perfect choice to round out this incredible album. The speed, the guitars, the drums, the bass, the tempo, the vocals, the combination of every little aspect of this song was interworked so beautifully to produce a powerful punch. “You’ve gotta let me be me” is the last line of the song. I might be over thinking this a bit, but after all the band has been through, and to have that be the last line of the last song, spoke a fantastic amount to me. I think we can all agree that if you let ATL be themselves, everyone is better off and will be so happy.
After so many changes within these past two years for the band, and really throughout their career, I can successfully say that this album is one for the history books. This band has come unbelievably far and they continue to grow and grow no matter what has been thrown in their way. The four boys from Baltimore, MD that we have fallen in love with, are still those same four boys. They are the ones who put a smile on our face, ones who create music we can relate to, and ones who will continue to not let us down with their impeccable talent. Don’t Panic is the new generation of All Time Low, and it’s worth every penny and minute of your time to listen to it. So don’t panic! Because this album is incredible and will blow your socks off.
Overall Rating: 5/5
Recommended Tracks: EVERY SINGLE ONE!
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